A NORTH Wales county has handed out more than three quarters of a million needles and syringes to drug addicts in the last year - more than anywhere else in Wales.

A NORTH Wales county has handed out more than three quarters of a million needles and syringes to drug addicts in the last year - more than anywhere else in Wales.

The needle exchange scheme in Conwy, set up in the 1980s as awareness of HIV and AIDS grew, dispensed 767,000 needles and syringes last year.

But it now faces a crisis, as pharmacists in Colwyn Bay have withdrawn from the service amid protests from the community and safety fears.

And Conwy councillor Christopher Hughes warned the scheme had encouraged people with drug problems to move to Colwyn Bay.

"While being positive for those with drug problems, it is very negative for the people living here."

He added: "The drug problem is now particularly bad here and drug-related crime has gone up significantly.

"Shoplifting became more prevalent, as did begging. The community was not happy and spoke out against it."

John Hand, who runs a small pharmacy in Conway Road, Colwyn Bay, recognises the need for a service but wants it to be provided by special centres which could check addicts for substances and provide the heroin substitute methadone.

And he said the scheme put staff and premises at risk.

Katie Bell, spokeswoman for Conwy Substance Misuse Action Team, said schemes needed the support of the community. "Sadly we are not able to eradicate this problem from society," she said.